After a grueling month long search for a holster, I thought I would offer some advice to any first-time holster buyer.
Buy a proper belt. Before you even attempt to try on a holster, you should be wearing the right type of belt. I probably returned 3 or 4 good holsters, not realizing that it wasn't the holster, but the belt that was the culprit.
Keep in mind that I had a leather "gun belt" all along. However, this particular brand was too thick and too heavy. You don't want something too heavy. You want a belt that is strong and rigid, but not heavy. On thickness--not too thick but not too thin. Thickness is important for the effectiveness of the clip on a clip-type holster. Also, a too thick belt may keep some OWB holsters from cinching in close to the body. Finally, I think the wider the better. However, it obviously should not be too wide for the slots, snaps, or the clips on the holster. In my case a 1.25 inch was not enough.
My solution was a wider, lighter, and thinner belt that is also very rigid and strong--characteristics I found in a heavy duty NYLON belt. A belt made by 5.11 Tactical--the heavier duty version, the cheaper version (the TDU) is too thin, and the holster won't stay clipped if given a good enough tug. The Wilderness company is another nylon belt manufacturer.
Obviously leather belts are fine, but if I was was going to replace my nylon belt with a leather one, I would want it to be fairly light and not super-thick. Anyway, I turned what felt like a heavy awkward holster into one that I barely notice is there by changing to a different belt.
Again, this is what worked for me. I do not claim to be an expert on this matter, as I just settled on my first ever holster today.
Buy a proper belt. Before you even attempt to try on a holster, you should be wearing the right type of belt. I probably returned 3 or 4 good holsters, not realizing that it wasn't the holster, but the belt that was the culprit.
Keep in mind that I had a leather "gun belt" all along. However, this particular brand was too thick and too heavy. You don't want something too heavy. You want a belt that is strong and rigid, but not heavy. On thickness--not too thick but not too thin. Thickness is important for the effectiveness of the clip on a clip-type holster. Also, a too thick belt may keep some OWB holsters from cinching in close to the body. Finally, I think the wider the better. However, it obviously should not be too wide for the slots, snaps, or the clips on the holster. In my case a 1.25 inch was not enough.
My solution was a wider, lighter, and thinner belt that is also very rigid and strong--characteristics I found in a heavy duty NYLON belt. A belt made by 5.11 Tactical--the heavier duty version, the cheaper version (the TDU) is too thin, and the holster won't stay clipped if given a good enough tug. The Wilderness company is another nylon belt manufacturer.
Obviously leather belts are fine, but if I was was going to replace my nylon belt with a leather one, I would want it to be fairly light and not super-thick. Anyway, I turned what felt like a heavy awkward holster into one that I barely notice is there by changing to a different belt.
Again, this is what worked for me. I do not claim to be an expert on this matter, as I just settled on my first ever holster today.
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